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News and Views
75 Mickey statues debut at WDW
Walt Disney World debuted 75 six-foot-tall, 700-pound polyurethane statues
of Mickey Mouse on November 18, his birthday. The statues were decorated
by cast members from all parts of the Disney empire, members of all corporate
partners in the 75 InspEARations project, and various celebrities. The
statues will be on display at Walt Disney World for six months before
touring through Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver,
Kansas City, Houston, Dallas, Portland, Disneyland, Washington D.C. and
New York City. The Disneyland stop is expected to be some time around
Mickey’s 76th birthday next year. At the conclusion of the tour, the 75
statues will be auctioned off by Sotheby’s, with the proceeds of each
Mickey going to a charity designated by each designer.
The 75 polyurethane Mickeys decorated by Disney Cast Members
and other celebrities are unveiled at a ceremony last Tuesday. (Photo:
David Roark/Disney)
New parade next year
Buried in the press releases about Mickey’s 75th birthday is a short
note that Spring/Summer 2004 will feature “Mickey, Donald and Goofy
as The Three Musketeers characters in summer parade at Walt Disney
World.” Not coincidentally, the direct-to-video movie The Three
Musketeers, featuring Mickey and friends, will be released around
the same time. No word on which park the parade will be in, or what else
the parade will feature.
Regis & Kelly to host the 20th annual WDW Christmas Parade
Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa once again host the television broadcast
of the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade broadcast. Clips will include
astronauts Jim Lovell, Wally Schirra, Walter Cunningham, and Winston Scott,
as well as astronaut-wannabe Lance Bass going for a ride on Mission: Space;
Wayne Brady joining Tarzan Rocks performers on “You’ll Be In My Heart”
from the Animal Kingdom; five original cast members of the Brady Bunch
having a Magical Gathering (ooh, feel the synergy!) at the Disney-MGM
Studios; and the usual array of special performances and Disney character
appearances. No word on when the parade will be taped.
Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor, the official voices of Mickey and Minnie
Mouse, pose for a photo with “I speak for Mickey, and Mickey speaks
for me,” the Mickey that they designed, featuring a pair of mouse
ears and a Walt T-shirt. Photo: David Roark/Disney.
Ironman CEO Marathon Challenge to take place at WDW next year
Ironman Motivations and Walt Disney World announced that the CEO Marathon
Challenge (link)
will take place during the WDW Marathon Weekend, January 9 to 12, 2004.
The Challenge is a program for CEOs and company presidents who are competing
in the WDW Marathon. Awards will be presented in three male age categories
and a female category. For a mere $3,500 registration fee, the program
carries a whole heapin’ pile o’ benefits for those in a position to participate.
Ears to the ground
…Concrete is now being poured at the future site of Soarin’ Over
California
…Vertical construction is proceeding well at the Expedition: Everest
site
…Jim Hill Media is reporting (link)
that the redo of the Animation Tour at the Disney-MGM Studios (which reopens
today) was largely due to the long-planned—but only announced on
Friday, November 14—closure of the Florida branch of the Disney Animation
Studios.
…The AAA Travel and Touring Desk located in Town Square Exposition
Hall at the Magic Kingdom will now only be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. The desk continues to be open 7 days a week. Guests who are traveling
on a AAA Vacation Package and have a question outside of these hours may
call 1-888-215-9434 for assistance.
Refurbishments and Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom
- Big Thunder Mountain was originally scheduled to return to
service on Sunday, November 23, however the rehab has been extended
another week and the ride is now schedule to reopen on Sunday, November
30 (missing most of the Thanksgiving crowds). - The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closed for good. It
is now undergoing a major rehab and will reopen in fall 2004 as Stitch’s
Great Escape! - Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress opens from park open to
park close for the duration of the Stitch’s Great Escape! construction. - Timekeeper opens from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for the duration of the
Stitch’s Great Escape! construction. - Country Bear Jamboree has reopened, running its Christmas show.
It will close January 12 to 16 to return to its usual program. - Adventureland now opens at 10 a.m. on non-peak days, but opens
with the rest of the park (except for Jungle Cruise) on Sundays, Thursdays,
and Saturdays through early December, plus every day of Thanksgiving
week (November 23 to 29) including Jungle Cruise.
Epcot
- Food Rocks closes on January 3 to make way for the entrance
to the new Soarin’ Over California attraction. - The Behind the Seeds Walking Tour of the greenhouses at The
Land will be discontinued on January 3 during reconstruction of the
Food Rocks area into the queue for Soarin’. The tours are expected to
resume upon completion of the construction. - The Eiffel Tower structure at the France pavilion is due to
return from rehab in December.
Disney-MGM Studios
- Magic of Disney Animation is scheduled to reopen today after
a lengthy rehab. - Residential Street at the Disney-MGM Studios has been closed
and demolished and construction has begun to turn the site into an American
version of the popular Moteurs… Action! stunt show from
the Walt Disney Studios at Disneyland Paris. - Due to the loss of Residential Street, the Osborne Family Spectacle
of Lights will not be presented this holiday season. It is expected
to return in some form for 2004. - New York Street is undergoing a great deal of construction
to change some facades to represent Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington,
DC. We do not yet have a target completion date for the newly-titled
Big City Street yet. - Sets from the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie are now
open in the old Backstage Pass soundstage and will be open through
the end of the year.
Animal Kingdom
- No known closures at this time.
Resorts
- Pop Century Resort – Officially opens on December 14.
- Port Orleans Resort – A two-year extensive rehab of this resort’s
rooms is ongoing. For Phase I, French Quarter closed May 4, 2003. Phase
II will involve Riverside going down in sections. We have not yet heard
a date for completion of Phase I. - Polynesian Resort – This resort is seeing the longhouses refurbished
one by one. Each longhouse under rehab is walled off and isolated during
its rehab. There are only a couple of longhouses remaining. Tuvalu is
scheduled for rehab through January 2004. Niue and Rarotonga are the
only other longhouses currently scheduled to undergo rehab, and are
tentatively scheduled for January 18 – May 2, 2004. - Shades of Green – Major construction and rehab is ongoing at
this MWR-run resort for the military. It is currently expected to reopen
in March, 2004. - Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa (a Disney Vacation
Club resort) has a tentative grand opening date of May 17, 2004. Reservations
will be taken starting on January 5. DVC members can reserve using points
on January 5 (home resort) or February 4 (other resorts).
Water Parks
- Blizzard Beach is undergoing refurbishment through December
13. - Typhoon Lagoon undergoes refurbishment December 14 to February
28.
Elsewhere
- The All Star Cafe at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex
is now closed Monday-Wednesday. It is open Thursday-Sunday, from 11:30
a.m. to 9 p.m.
Park Events
November
- Celebrate Mickey… 75 InspEARations showcases 75 very special
interestingly decorated Mickey statues to celebrate Mickey’s 75th birthday
throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. November 18, 2003 through
April 2004. - Festival of the Seasons at Epcot featuring lighting displays,
fun window displays, and more. November 28 to December 24. - Holidays Around the World at Epcot lets you celebrate holidays
in the style of the World Showcase countries. November 28 to December
30. - Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom –
Order by phone at (407) W-DISNEY (934-7639). November 30, December
2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 19.
December
- Doll & Teddy Bear Weekend. December 7.
- Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships
(link)
December 7 – 13. - Disney’s Pop Century Resort opens December 14.
January 2004
- Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo (link).
January 9 & 10. - FamilyFun Magazine Family Fun Run (link)
January 10. - Disney Marathon and Half-Marathon January 11.
- National College Cheerleading and Dance Team Championship (link)
January 16-18. - Annual Passholders’ Cruise (4 nights) on Disney Magic.
January 25. - National Dance Team Championship (link)
January 31 – February 1.
February 2004
- National High School Cheerleading Championship (link)
February 7 & 8. - Atlanta Braves training camp at Disney’s Wide World of Sports
complex (link)
February 15 – April 2.
March 2004
- National Cheerleading and Dance Championship (link)
March 13 & 14.
April 2004
- Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. April 16
– May 30.
May 2004
- Walt Disney World Inline Marathon (link).
May 2.
October 2004
- Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. October 1
– November 14.
Current Discounts & Promotions
New vacation packages offered by Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has announced Orlando vacation packages linked with
the Disney Dream Maker packages. (link)
The offering includes round-trip airfare, lodging, and Ultimate Park Hopper
passes. The package is valid from all Southwest markets, and must be booked
no later than three business days prior to departure. Travel must be booked
by December 4, 2003 for travel between December 7, 2003 and February 10,
2004.
Mousesavers announces special Celebration Hotel rates
MouseSavers has announced special rates at the Celebration Hotel
for readers of its web site. (If you haven’t visited the site yet, please
check it out!)
Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.
New Disney Visa Dream Maker Package – Kids Stay Free!
That there is a new Disney’s Visa “Kids Stay and Play Free”
Package, available most nights January 4 through June 12, 2004, where
when you buy a full-price Walt Disney World Dream Maker Package with your
Disney’s Visa card, for each adult on the package, one child (3-9) gets
a free Ultimate Park Hopper pass for the length of stay. 4-night
minimum. Plus you receive $100 in Disney Dollars per package at
check-in! Go to Disney’s Kids Free Web page (link)
for more information, or call your travel agent and book using package
code ZXFA. You must book your package by January 2.
Great rates at the Swan and Dolphin
Are you planning a trip this fall? Check out this offer from the Swan
and Dolphin:
- WDW Annual Passholders can book rooms as low as $139 per night, plus
tax and resort fee, through the end of 2003, including a free
upgrade! Rates include a free upgrade, and are subject to availability.
Get more details and the discount codes at MouseSavers.com.
Military Salute hotel and cruise discounts available
Active U.S. Military personnel or spouses are also eligible for a 40
percent savings per night (based on the non-discounted price of the same
room) at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and special rates on
Disney Cruise Line sailings. This offer is available most nights through
December 19, 2003 at Walt Disney World, and for most sailings through
December 18 on the Disney Cruise Line. Hotel rooms and staterooms are
limited at this special rate.
For more information, call (407) 939-7424 for Walt Disney World, and
(800) 951-2659 for the Disney Cruise Line. You must be 18 or older to
call these numbers.
Free 5-day Park Hopper for Active Military
Disney is offering a special for active duty military — a free five-day
park hopper ticket, as well as discounted companion tickets. Offer valid
through December 19, 2003 and includes all active military personnel,
including Coast Guard, as well as activated National Guard and Reservists.
See their official
Web site for more information.
Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates available
WDW Annual Passholder and Florida resident rates are available at select
Walt Disney World resorts for check-ins November 28 through December 26.
Discounts range from approximately 30 to 45 percent off regular rack rates.
Plan ahead and save a few bucks
The Walt Disney World Resort is encouraging visitors to buy their theme
park tickets before they even leave home, by offering a slight discount
on advance purchases. You can save as much as $22 per adult, per ticket
with the “Advance Purchase Savings” program.
You can also receive these Advance Purchase Savings with packages purchased
through AAA.
| Multi-Day Tickets | Gate Prices | Advance Purchase Price | Savings |
| 4-Day Park Hopper: Adults | $208 | $192 | $16 |
| Children ages 3 – 9 | $167 | $152 | $15 |
| 5-Day Park Hopper: Adults | $239 | $217 | $22 |
| Children ages 3 – 9 | $192 | $172 | $20 |
| 5-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults | $269 | $247 | $22 |
| Children ages 3 – 9 | $216 | $197 | $19 |
| 6-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults | $299 | $277 | $22 |
| Children ages 3 – 9 | $240 | $222 | $18 |
| 7-Day Park Hopper Plus: Adults | $329 | $307 | $22 |
| Children ages 3 – 9 | $264 | $247 | $17 |
Annual Passholders
Receive 10% off the price of their lunch meal at selected Walt
Disney World Resort hotel restaurants, and the discount is good for up
to three guests. The offer is valid Mondays through Fridays. Call 407-WDW-DINE
(407-939-3463) for locations and reservations.
Park Hours
Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
11/24 | 11/25 | 11/26 | 11/27 | 11/28 | 11/29 | |
MK 9a-11p | MK 9a-10p | MK 9a-10p | MK 9a-11p | MK 9a-11p | MK 9a-10p | |
11/30 | 12/1 |
| ||||
MK 9a-6p | MK 9a-7p | |||||
Entertainment Schedule
Magic Kingdom | Epcot World Showcase | Disney-MGM Studios | Animal Kingdom |
| Monday 11/24 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
Tuesday 11/25 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 6:30p, 8:30p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
Wednesday 11/26 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 6:30p, 8:30p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
Thursday 11/27 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 6:30p, 8:30p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
Friday 11/28 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9:30p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3p Fantasmic 6:30p, 8:30p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
Saturday 11/29 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9:30p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 4:30p Fantasmic 6:30p, 8:30p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
Sunday 11/30 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 8pm, 10pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9:30p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
| Monday 12/1 | |||
Share a Dream Come True Parade 3p SpectroMagic 6pm Wishes Fireworks 7p | Illuminations! 9:30p | Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade 3:30p Fantasmic 7p | Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade 3:45p |
